Displaced IUD, any experience?

[Saffron]

Disclaimer: thread not for the squeamish! ;-)

Anyone had a displaced IUD? I noticed two days ago that I couldn't feel the threads on my IUD. The threads have been cut very short, and it's normal for them to be quite difficult to feel just before my period starts, due to normal changes in the cervix at that time. My period started last night, and at first it was fine. Today it's been very heavy, lots of clotting, changing tampons 2-4 hourly instead of normal 6 hourly. I can't help but think that's a worrying coincidence. I spoke to NHS direct who said I should rest, drink plenty of fluid, and see the GP in the morning. The nurse said if I find that I need to change tampons hourly for more than 6 hours, then I should go to the A&E.

So, the tentative verdict is a displaced IUD. Even when I see my GP tomorrow though, she still won't be able to do anything about removing the coil until my bleeding has subsided. I hate being in a grey zone of not really knowing what's wrong! I'm wondering if anyone else has had a displaced or suspected displaced IUD?

[Princess]

I had a suspected displaced/embedded IUD which was confirmed via an ultrasound just before Christmas (23rd I think). I went into meltdown just wanting 'the thing' out of me ASAP but having to wait until I could see my GP as soon as normal business resumed in January. As soon as I saw my GP my notes and pictures from the scan had caught up with me. Apparently the extra week wouldn't have made any difference to it's position etc it was just an extra week of pain and bleeding for me. I would say if it's embedded do consider some pain relief when having it removed. My GP did it for me there and then. I've given birth twice without even a paracetemol but this was a whole new experience for me and in retrospect would have preferred a quick trip to the hospital to get it out.

I hope I haven't terrified you. In my case the time it took to get it sorted wasn't too relevant but was inconvenient! If you're really concerned I'd go to A&E and see if you can get a quick scan to address your concerns.

[Saffron]

I don't have any pain, so I'm hoping that it's just the threads that have shifted. However, I read that a displaced IUD is sometimes symptomless. It's good to know the extra time didn't make any difference to the displacement of the IUD. I guess that's what really worries me.

I was nulliparous when I had my first IUD fitted and later removed b/c it had reached the end of it's shelf life. I thought having it fitted and removed was rather painful. Physician at the time said this was likely attributable to my never having had a child. I didn't think having a new one fitted 6 wks postpartum was too uncomfortable.

Yes, slightly worrying that you found removal of the displaced IUD so painful. I will be sure to ask about pain relief prior to removal. I think I might have to have some anxiolytics too, as the situation seems to be winding me up, even though rationally I can beleive it will be fine.

Maybe it's a caveat to others who have an IUD fitted soon after giving birth? I think the GP should have left my threads longer, b/c the shape and position of the cervix can change a lot over time postpartum. I think initially when she cut them they seemed ok. Things have moved around a bit since then!

[Saffron]

Updated to say that I've seen the gyne nurse, and my IDU is (thankfully!) not displaced!

The nurse had difficulty seeing the threads but did eventually confirm that they are there. She said I will probably only be able to feel them just after my period, due to normal changes in the cervix throughout my cycle.

She also agreed that the threads might have been cut a bit too short, having had my IUD placed only 6 wks postpartum. When the pelvic floor and uterus moved upwards back into a more normal position in the subsequent months, the threads are now quite difficult to detect.

So if you have an IUD placed very soon postpartum, ask your nurse/doctor not to cut the threads quite so short. You can always have them trimmed again later.

At least my threads are long enough that the nurse says I will have no problem having the IUD removed when it expires in a few years.